New Zealand has approved the construction of a 1 gigawatt artificial intelligence data centre, a project raising questions about the nation’s energy future. The data centre is expected to consume twice as much power as the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, a previously major energy consumer. This approval comes as New Zealand is simultaneously investing heavily – approximately one billion dollars – in a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal intended to prevent electricity shortages. Critics suggest the data centre’s substantial energy demands could undermine efforts to secure a stable power supply. The decision highlights a conflict between attracting foreign investment in emerging technologies and maintaining national energy security. The project’s impact on New Zealand’s electricity grid and overall sustainability goals remains a key point of debate. Concerns are being raised about whether the country can adequately support both the new data centre and its existing energy needs.